The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-09-03
THE SEASIDE SWELL,
Unquestionabiy tho Most Extraordinary
Product OF American Civilization.

Unquestionabiy tho Most Extraordinary |
Product OF American Civilization.
The seaside swell is about the most
amazing outcome OF nineteenth century
civilization. No one ever knows whence
or where he goes when he one day sud-
denly disappears from the hotel that
he has helped to make resplendent.
Probably he returns to the dusty and
humble interior of .the store" wherein
fifty weeks Of every year are spent.
His hauteur during his two weeks out
ing in the summer is beyond all bounds.
His arrogance is amazing, and his very
rudeness is apparently a source of de-
light to him. II he only knew 1t ho
would have very much happier time
bereft of his astounding airs Of ex-
clusivcness.
An instance occurred the other day.
was on my way to popular hotel
down on Long Island, which is much
frequented by fishermen, yachtsmen
and society folks. 1t is more or less
fashionable 1 believe, but the people
are amiable and good-natured. In the
| smoking compartment of the car there
were four men. We were strangers,
but journey of several hours was be-
fore us and the little ciyilties OF travel
ing companions were exchanged Mt
once. All of my fcllow-voyagers were
mature in years, wcll-dressed and adj
mirably bred. There was a general
interchange of cigars and papers. a
little whist and then long, and to mo
an exceedingly interesting talk on the
manners of women in various parts OF
the world, from the matter-of fact girl
of an Illinois farm to the athletic daugh-
ter of the Pyrcnces. During the first
stage of the journey a summer-resort-
young man entered the compartment
twice, stared at us with evident disap-
proval and abruptly withdrew. Finally
he pushed his way in front Of two OF
the men, without q word of apology
sank into corner scat and pulled out
a gilded cigarette case. From it ho
took cheap and offensive cigarette.
Every man knew that the odor of the
cigarette would spoil the flavor of his
cigar. but the matches were passed to
the newcomer with the utmost courtesy.
He took the box without word, blew
q cloud of smoke in our faces, threw
the box back on the opposite seat, fixed
single glass in his eye and glared
about him, the most absurd and prig-
gish ass on earth. His clothes were
white flannel, his hose blue with white
stars. and he wore a shirt with red
cross.b bars relieved by blue satin
scarf. There were eight or ten rings
on his cigarette-staincd hands and his
hair was beautifully banged. The man
on my lcft-whom aflerward found
was the head of one of the biggest bear
houses in the Stock Exchange-passcd
his cigar-case to the bowling swell with
smile.
"Wha--Whad's that?" drawlcd tho
swell, heavily.
won't you have cigar?" asked tho
broker, pleasantly.
"Naw."
He turned his back on the Wall street
man with an air of such intolerable in
science that tie broker flushed to the
roots of his hair. We went on and the
following morning we all met ut break
fast in the hotel. There was general
exchange of salutations and several men
nodded politely to the cheap and gaudy
swell. He did not acknowledge the
courtesy. in any case. The men on tho
train proved to be admirable compan-
ions and they knew nearly everybody
worth knowing in the hotel. Fun of all
kinds went on, but the prig was not in
it. He had two trunks, though he only
stayed three days, and he wore three or
four suits of clothes day. They were
an execrable fit and of tlimsy texture. as
rule. All the man did was to stalk
gloomily about, stare hard at the other
guests and make frequent changes OF
attire. Had he been little more human
he would undoubtedly have had good
: time. As it was he looked mournful
and miserablc-and doubtless was both.
1t seems curious thing for man to
start out on his vacation with the idea
of seeing how obnoxious he can make
himself. but nearly all of the summer
resort-young men do it.-M y Cor
Pt,ladelDhia Press.